1. Bray F, Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Siegel RL, Torre LA and Jemal A: Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 coun- tries. CA Cancer J Clin 68: 394-424, 2018.
2. Brun JL, Feyler A, Chene G, Saurel J, Brun G and Hocke C: Long-term results and prognostic factors in patients with epithe- lial ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 78: 21-27, 2000.
3. Thiery JP: Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions in tumour progression. Nat Rev Cancer 2: 442-454, 2002.
4. Boyer B, Valles AM and Edme N: Induction and regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. Biochem Pharmacol 60: 1091-1099, 2000.
5. Vernon AE and LaBonne C: Tumor metastasis: A new twist on epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. Curr Biol 14: R719-R721, 2004.
6. Eisenkop SM, Friedman RL and Wang HJ: Complete cytoreduc- tive surgery is feasible and maximizes survival in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: A prospective study. Gynecol Oncol 69: 103-108, 1998.
7. Kajiyama H, Mizuno M, Shibata K, Kawai M, Nagasaka T and Kikkawa F: Extremely poor postrecurrence oncological outcome for patients with recurrent mucinous ovarian cancer. Int J Clin Oncol 19: 121-126, 2014.
8. Kajiyama H, Shibata K, Mizuno M, Umezu T, Suzuki S, Yamamoto E, Fujiwara S, Kawai M, Nagasaka T and Kikkawa F: Long-term clinical outcome of patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma: Is it the same for each histological type? Int J Gynecol Cancer 22: 394-399, 2012.
9. Brigstock DR, Goldschmeding R, Katsube KI, Lam SC, Lau LF, Lyons K, Naus C, Perbal B, Riser B, Takigawa M and Yeger H: Proposal for a unified CCN nomenclature. Mol Pathol 56: 127-128, 2003.
10. Brigstock DR: The connective tissue growth factor/cysteine-rich 61/nephroblastoma overexpressed (CCN) family. Endocr Rev 20: 189-206, 1999.
11. Leask A and Abraham DJ: All in the CCN family: Essential matricellular signaling modulators emerge from the bunker. J Cell Sci 119: 4803-4810, 2006.
12. Tsai HC, Su HL, Huang CY, Fong YC, Hsu CJ and Tang CH: CTGF increases matrix metalloproteinases expression and subsequently promotes tumor metastasis in human osteosarcoma through down-regulating miR-519d. Oncotarget 5: 3800-3812, 2014.
13. Han Q, Zhang HY, Zhong BL, Wang XJ, Zhang B and Chen H: MicroRNA-145 inhibits cell migration and invasion and regu- lates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Med Sci Monit 22: 3925-3934, 2016.
14. Lai D, Ho KC, Hao Y and Yang X: Taxol resistance in breast cancer cells is mediated by the hippo pathway component TAZ and its downstream transcriptional targets Cyr61 and CTGF. Cancer Res 71: 2728-2738, 2011.
15. Yang K, Gao K, Hu G, Wen Y, Lin C and Li X: CTGF enhances resistance to 5-FU-mediating cell apoptosis through FAK/MEK/ERK signal pathway in colorectal cancer. Onco Targets Ther 9: 7285-7295, 2016.
16. Tsai HC, Huang CY, Su HL and Tang CH: CCN2 enhances resistance to cisplatin-mediating cell apoptosis in human osteo- sarcoma. PLoS One 9: e90159, 2014.
17. Wang L, He J, Xu H, Xu L and Li N: MiR-143 targets CTGF and exerts tumor-suppressing functions in epithelial ovarian cancer. Am J Transl Res 8: 2716-2726, 2016.
18. Kajiyama H, Kikkawa F, Suzuki T, Shibata K, Ino K and Mizutani S: Prolonged survival and decreased invasive activity attributable to dipeptidyl peptidase IV overexpression in ovarian carcinoma. Cancer Res 62: 2753-2757, 2002.
19. Kajiyama H, Shibata K, Ino K, Mizutani S, Nawa A and Kikkawa F: The expression of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV/CD26) is associated with enhanced chemosensitivity to paclitaxel in epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells. Cancer Sci 101: 347-354, 2010.
20. Kajiyama H, Shibata K, Terauchi M, Yamashita M, Ino K, Nawa A and Kikkawa F: Chemoresistance to paclitaxel induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enhances metastatic potential for epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells. Int J Oncol 31: 277-283, 2007.
21. Maeda O, Shibata K, Hosono S, Fujiwara S, Kajiyama H, Ino K, Nawa A, Tamakoshi K and Kikkawa F: Spectrin αII and βII tetramers contribute to platinum anticancer drug resistance in ovarian serous adenocarcinoma. Int J Cancer 130: 113-121, 2012.
22. Utsumi F, Kajiyama H, Nakamura K, Tanaka H, Mizuno M, Ishikawa K, Kondo H, Kano H, Hori M and Kikkawa F: Effect of indirect nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma on anti-proliferative activity against chronic chemo-resistant ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. PLoS One 8: e81576, 2013.
23. Sakata J, Utsumi F, Suzuki S, Niimi K, Yamamoto E, Shibata K, Senga T, Kikkawa F and Kajiyama H: Inhibition of ZEB1 leads to inversion of metastatic characteristics and restoration of pacli- taxel sensitivity of chronic chemoresistant ovarian carcinoma cells. Oncotarget 8: 99482-99494, 2017.
24. Hosono S, Kajiyama H, Terauchi M, Shibata K, Ino K, Nawa A and Kikkawa F: Expression of Twist increases the risk for recur- rence and for poor survival in epithelial ovarian carcinoma patients. Br J Cancer 96: 314-320, 2007.
25. Livak KJ and Schmittgen TD. Analysis of relative gene expres- sion data using real-time quantitative PCR and the 2(-Delta Delta C(T)) method. Methods 25: 402-408, 2001.
26. Sugiyama K, Kajiyama H, Shibata K, Yuan H, Kikkawa F and Senga T: Expression of the miR200 family of microRNAs in mesothelial cells suppresses the dissemination of ovarian cancer cells. Mol Cancer Ther 13: 2081-2091, 2014.
27. Kurman RJ, Carcangiu ML, Herrington CS and Young RH: WHO Classification of Tumours of Female Reproductive Organs. Fourth edition: IARC Press, 2014.
28. Zeppernick F and Meinhold-Heerlein I: The new FIGO staging system for ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer. Arch Gynecol Obstet 290: 839-842, 2014.
29. Chen VW, Ruiz B, Killeen JL, Coté TR, Wu XC and Correa CN: Pathology and classification of ovarian tumors. Cancer 97 (10 Suppl): S2631-S2642, 2003.
30. Sakata J, Kajiyama H, Suzuki S, Utsumi F, Niimi K, Sekiya R, Shibata K, Senga T and Kikkawa F: Impact of positive ZEB1 expres- sion in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma as an oncologic outcome-predicting indicator. Oncol Lett 14: 4287-4293, 2017.
31. Lau TS, Chan LK, Wong EC, Hui CW, Sneddon K, Cheung TH, Yim SF, Lee JH, Yeung CS, Chung TK and Kwong J: A loop of cancer-stroma-cancer interaction promotes peritoneal metas- tasis of ovarian cancer via TNFα-TGFα-EGFR. Oncogene 36: 3576-3587, 2017.
32. Nakamura M, Ono YJ, Kanemura M, Tanaka T, Hayashi M, Terai Y and Ohmichi M: Hepatocyte growth factor secreted by ovarian cancer cells stimulates peritoneal implantation via the mesothelial-mesenchymal transition of the peritoneum. Gynecol Oncol 139: 345-354, 2015.
33. Wei W, Kong B, Yang Q and Qu X: Hepatocyte growth factor enhances ovarian cancer cell invasion through downregulation of thrombospondin-1. Cancer Biol Ther 9: 79-87, 2010.
34. Alvarez H, Corvalan A, Roa JC, Argani P, Murillo F, Edwards J, Beaty R, Feldmann G, Hong SM, Mullendore M, et al: Serial analysis of gene expression identifies connective tissue growth factor expression as a prognostic biomarker in gallbladder cancer. Clin Cancer Res 14: 2631-2638, 2008.
35. Bennewith KL, Huang X, Ham CM, Graves EE, Erler JT, Kambham N, Feazell J, Yang GP, Koong A and Giaccia AJ: The role of tumor cell-derived connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in pancreatic tumor growth. Cancer Res 69: 775-784, 2009.
36. Boag JM, Beesley AH, Firth MJ, Freitas JR, Ford J, Brigstock DR, de Klerk NH and Kees UR: High expression of connective tissue growth factor in pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Br J Haematol 138: 740-748, 2007.
37. Li LY, Li EM, Wu ZY, Huang X, Shen JH, Xu XE, Wu JY, Huang Q and Xu LY: Connective tissue growth factor expression in precancerous lesions of human esophageal epithelium and prognostic significance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Dis Esophagus 24: 337-345, 2011.
38. Wang MY, Chen PS, Prakash E, Hsu HC, Huang HY, Lin MT, Chang KJ and Kuo ML: Connective tissue growth factor confers drug resistance in breast cancer through concomitant up-regula- tion of Bcl-xL and cIAP1. Cancer Res 69: 3482-3491, 2009.
39. Mao Z, Ma X, Rong Y, Cui L, Wang X, Wu W, Zhang J and Jin D: Connective tissue growth factor enhances the migration of gastric cancer through downregulation of E-cadherin via the NF-kB pathway. Cancer Sci 102: 104-110, 2011.
40. Sugiyama T, Kamura T, Kigawa J, Terakawa N, Kikuchi Y, Kita T, Suzuki M, Sato I and Taguchi K: Clinical characteristics of clear cell carcinoma of the ovary: A distinct histologic type with poor prognosis and resistance to platinum-based chemo- therapy. Cancer 88: 2584-2589, 2000.
41. Shimada M, Kigawa J, Ohishi Y, Yasuda M, Suzuki M, Hiura M, Nishimura R, Tabata T, Sugiyama T and Kaku T: Clinicopathological characteristics of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary. Gynecol Oncol 113: 331-334, 2009.
42. Tsai HC, Huang CY, Su HL and Tang CH: CTGF increases drug resistance to paclitaxel by upregulating survivin expres- sion in human osteosarcoma cells. Biochim Biophys Acta 1843: 846-854, 2014.
43. Edwards LA, Woolard K, Son MJ, Li A, Lee J, Ene C, Mantey SA, Maric D, Song H, Belova G, et al: Effect of brain- and tumor-derived connective tissue growth factor on glioma invasion. J Natl Cancer Inst 103: 1162-1178, 2011.
44. Eguchi D, Ikenaga N, Ohuchida K, Kozono S, Cui L, Fujiwara K, Fujino M, Ohtsuka T, Mizumoto K and Tanaka M: Hypoxia enhances the interaction between pancreatic stellate cells and cancer cells via increased secretion of connective tissue growth factor. J Surg Res 181: 225-233, 2013.
45. Yang F, Tuxhorn JA, Ressler SJ, McAlhany SJ, Dang TD and Rowley DR: Stromal expression of connective tissue growth factor promotes angiogenesis and prostate cancer tumorigenesis. Cancer Res 65: 8887-8895, 2005.
46. Kim HC, Ji W, Kim MY, Colby TV, Jang SJ, Lee CK, Han SB and Kim DS: Interstitial pneumonia related to undifferentiated connective tissue disease: Pathologic pattern and prognosis. Chest 147: 165-172, 2015.
47. Tothill RW, Tinker AV, George J, Brown R, Fox SB, Lade S, Johnson DS, Trivett MK, Etemadmoghadam D, Locandro B, et al: Novel molecular subtypes of serous and endometrioid ovarian cancer linked to clinical outcome. Clin Cancer Res 14: 5198-5208, 2008.
48. Crosas-Molist E, Bertran E and Fabregat I: Cross-Talk Between TGF-β and NADPH oxidases during liver fibrosis and hepatocar- cinogenesis. Curr Pharm Des 21: 5964-5976, 2015.
49. Dhanasekaran R, Nakamura I, Hu C, Chen G, Oseini AM, Seven ES, Miamen AG, Moser CD, Zhou W, van Kuppevelt TH, et al: Activation of the transforming growth factor-β/SMAD transcrip- tional pathway underlies a novel tumor-promoting role of sulfatase 1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 61: 1269-1283, 2015.
50. Liu J, Chen S, Wang W, Ning BF, Chen F, Shen W, Ding J, Chen W, Xie WF and Zhang X: Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through chemokine-activated hedgehog and TGF-β pathways. Cancer Lett 379: 49-59, 2016.
51. Kroening S, Solomovitch S, Sachs M, Wullich B and Goppelt-Struebe M: Regulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) by hepatocyte growth factor in human tubular epithelial cells. Nephrol Dial Transplant 24: 755-762, 2009.
52. Tsai CC, Wu SB, Kau HC and Wei YH: Essential role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)‑induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation from Graves' orbital fibroblasts. Sci Rep 8: 7276, 2018.